LETTERS TO THE EDITOR; Avoiding an Afghan Quagmire

Published: August 19, 2009

Regarding ''Pashtun alienation'' by Selig Harrison and ''The land of 10,000 wars'' by Ganesh Sitaraman (Views, Aug. 17): Both are excellent articles that describe the complexities of Afghanistan's people and history. But what is missing is why the United States is there: to ferret out those who attacked America.

Having inherited a sorry situation from the previous administration, the Obama administration, as it goes through its policy review, must remember and redefine that original focus.

The core American national security interest is in defeating Al Qaeda. Anything else must be left for the Afghans to do. And as proposals for more soldiers and materials pour in, it would be well to remember the complexities of Afghanistan. To continue more of the same is to drag the U.S. into a never-ending quagmire.

Fariborz S. Fatemi, McLean, Virginia

America's misguided Russia strategy

Regarding ''Grim expectations'' by Oksana Antonenko (Views, Aug. 14): When the United States continues to train Georgian troops and pledge support for Georgia's and Ukraine's NATO applications, it is not realistic to expect Russia to accept blame for unlawful use of force in Aug. 2008, to reduce its military presence in the conflict zones, and to facilitate agreement between Georgia, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Nor is it realistic to anticipate Europeanization of the region, as long as an E.U. policy has not yet been established. It would be better for Europe and the U.S. to resume their strategic cooperation with Russia with respect for each other's sphere of interest.